Classic beef chili is a delicious comfort food meal made by simmering seasoned ground beef and beans in a hearty tomato sauce for a dinner the whole family will love.

Classic Beef Chili

From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito

Who doesn’t love a nice big bowl of classic beef chili on a cold day?

This is one of my favorite things to pop on the stove and have simmering all day when the weather really plums here in New Jersey.

It’s the perfect “warm you up” meal. This is one of those recipes that the longer it sits on the stove of the better it is.

So you can start to make this in the early afternoon and enjoy it all day long.

My kids even admit that they like this dinner even better than the next day because all the flavors have blended together so perfectly.

This is one of those stick to your ribs recipes that keep everyone full and warm for hours

It can be served alone or topped with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, chopped onions, or whatever other toppings you’d like to add.

When I was growing up, my mother used to serve this to us over some sliced plain white bread, and it was the best thing ever in my opinion.

I used to love this recipe so much when I was growing up. My siblings and I would get so exciting when my mother would make this for us.

Now that I’m a mother myself, I make this for my own family and they love it just as much too.

I hope you give this recipe a try. If you do, I know you’ll love it just as much as my family and I do.?

Fast. Simple. Delicious.

Did you know that I have a cookbook called Fast Simple Delicious? It’s 60 no fuss no fail comfort food recipes perfect for busy weekday dinners.

Click HERE to order your copy or click the 3 lines in the top right corner and click “Book”. Thank you for the support.

Classic Beef Chili Variations

I like this chili recipe made just the way it is but here are some ways to change it up if you’d like to.

• Meat- Ground chicken or turkey can be used instead of beef.
• Beans- It’s nice to mix two different kinds of beans here for a little variety of flavor. Use any two you’d like or even omit them completely.
• Broth- Chicken, Beef or Vegetable broth can all be used in this recipe.

Other Easy Comfort Food Meals

If you like super easy to make comfort food recipes like this one, here are some others that I know you’ll love, too.

• Crockpot White Chicken Chili
• Sausage Tortellini Soup
• Beef Lombardi Casserole
• Meatloaf Meatballs In Gravy

Classic Beef Chili Ingredients

• Olive Oil
• Ground Beef
• Green Bell Pepper, chopped
• Garlic, Minced
• Onion, chopped
• Crushed Tomatoes
• Red Kidney Beans, rinsed and drained
• Dark Kidney Beans, rinsed and drained
• Beef Broth
• Salt, Pepper, Cayenne Pepper, Chili Powder, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder
• Optional Toppings: Shredded Cheddar Cheese, Sour Cream, Green Onions

Instructions

First, in a large pot, heat the oil over medium high heat and add the chopped pepper, onion and garlic.

Now, season the vegetables with salt, pepper, chili powder and cayenne pepper and sauté until soft.

Next, add the ground beef, lightly season with salt and pepper and break the beef down into small pieces as it cooks.

Now, stir in the crushed tomatoes.

Then, gently stir in the two cans of rinsed and drained beans.

Next, stir in the beef broth and re-season the chili with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder and cayenne pepper.

Now, bring the heat down from medium high to low and let the chili simmer for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors blend together.

Finally, add the chili to individual serving dishes, top with shredded cheese, sour cream and green onions (if desired) and enjoy!